Telephone metering system



Mai'.6,1923. w A. M. CRICHTON.

TELEPHONE METERING SYSTEM. FILED APR-13. 1920.

ATTORNEY 1,447,509. A. M. CRICHTON.

TELEPHONEMETERING SYSTEM.

man TAPR- ma, @22

Mar. 1923.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- 1 VENTQ BY I ATTORNEY r, 1,447,509. A. M. cmcmom.

TELEPHONE METERING SYSTEM. FILED APR I3. 1920.

BY G

A TTORNE Y Patented Mar. 6, i923.-

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ARTHUR M. GEICHTON, 0F UNIONTOVIN, PENNSYLVANIA, AS$IGNOB TO MEASURED SERVICE METER COMPANY, ACGBPGBATION OEDELAWARE.

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Application filed April 13, 1920; Serial 1'10. 373 674.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR M. .CmoHToN,

a citizen oi the United States, and a resi-' dent of Uniontown, in the county of-Fay' ette and State of Pennsylvania, have invent ed a new and useful Improvement in Telephone llletering Systems, of which the folnamed action sending a temporary impulse of excess voltage over the line to thecalling subscribers home.

The above and other objects will be pointed out more in detail in the subjoined description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a side view, partially in section and partially in elevation, oi? a metering device constructed in accordance with my invention; Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are side and end views, respectively, of the device shown in Fig. 1, il-

lustrating different phases'in the operation thereof; Fig. 5 is an assembly view of a telephone system embodying my invention and Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic views illustrating the calling subscribers circuit with the receiver on and off, respectively.

In the operation of a telephone system, complaints are continually received from subscribers that they are being charged for calls which they never made and accordingly, the demand is arising for a metering system whereby the calls made by a sub scriber are recorded at his instrument so that no grounds for complaint can arise. A metering system of this character should be so arranged that the subscriber is unable to call central without, at least partially, energizing the metering device and the consequentrecordation of the dell should be brought about by the response of the called subscriber. 1

With the above and other objects in view, I have devised a system whereby the calling subscriber, by the. manipulation of suitable means, throws a ground on one of the line wires and thereby calls the central oifice. ow i .zinmultaneously the metering device is either moved ahead one unitor is wound up as by the tighteningoi a spring for subsequent forward motion of one unit. 4

The response of the operator is in the usual manner and the calling and'response of the called subscriber are as usual. The re- 7 move]. of the receiver from the book by the called subscriber, however, with the attendant production of a good current-carrying -,path. between his two line wires initially causes a transient or momentary flow of relatiyely high-voltage current over the, calling subscribers line, this current completing the energization o the metering device and the completion oi the recording of an additional unit or call therein. 1

Referring to the drawing for more detailed understanding of my invention, 1 will first of all describe themeter employed as an element in my system. A base member is shown at 1.0 in Figs. 1 to 1 inclusive, bearing an upstanding support 11 carrying a counting device 12 oil any usual or desired form.

The base member 10 further carries an up standing support 13 upon which is mounted an electro magnet 14: provided with an armature 15 chamfered as shown at 16. A vertical tube 17 is centrally mounted on the base 10 between. the supports 11 and 13 and carries. a hollow plunger member 18, normally urged upwardly by aspring 19.

The counting device 12 is operated by the oscillation of an arm. 20 connectedby a suitable link 21 to a lever 22 pivoted at 23.

A. similar lever 24: is also mounted at 23, directly behind the lever 22. The lever 24 engages the lower end of the plunger 18 and the lever 22 carries a pin 27 extending therethrough and terminating beneath a similar pin 29 carried by the lever 24 so that when the plunger 18 is depressed, the levers 22 and 24 are both swung downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, the action of the link 21 turning forward the counting device 12. The hook member 25 is pivoted at 26 and engages the pin 27 on the lever 22 when the latter is in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 2, this counting act.

latch restraining the lever 22 from rising when the plunger 18 is forced out under the influence of the spring 19. A dog 28 is mounted beside the latch or hook 25 and is connected thereto as by a shaft in line with the pivot 26 so that when the hook 25 falls "forward to engage the pin 27 the dog 28 is also permitted to swing forward toward the plunger 18. .The lever 24: also carries apin' '29 and after the plunger 18 has been depressed to engage the hook 25 with the pin 27, the rise of the plunger 18 returns the lever 24 to its original position and the dog 28 swings underthe pin 29, preventing a secndQdepression'of the plunger 18, until the pin. 27 hasbeen released from the C hook 25.

The 'rn'agnet 14,when energized, raises the p arrnatureand the notch 16 therein acts upon y ELII GX t G DSIOH'iiO on the 'hook25, swinging this hook in a clockwise direction and releasing the pin 27, so that the lever 22 may rise,

permitting the swinging of the counting arm 20 tolits original position and completing-the T ofcontact "springs 31 and are sup- Iiportedupon themember 11 by a suitable insulating inountingand the spring 32 is in the p'a'thoii cain 33 cn the end of the lever i'22and also a cam 34 on the end of the a rsea. r In the normal inoperative position, indicated in 'Fig. 1, the cam 33 niaintains the spring 32 out of contact with the spring 31 and similarly, in the depressed position of the plunger illustrated inFig. 2,the cam 34:

"maintains the spring 32 outot contact with spring 31. When however, the plunger 18 1s 7 released, after having been depressed, as

shown in Fig. 3, the levers 22 and 24- are both in such positions that the spring 32 is permitted to engage the spring 31.

Having thus described the structure and the elements of the operation of the metering device employed by me attention is next 1 directed toa system, in which it is employed.

Referringto Fig. 5, the calling subscribers apparatus is illustratedat A and coinprises a receiver 35 mounted on a book 36, a transmitter 37, an iinpedence coil 38, a con denser 39, a ringer 10, and a metering device having its parts designated as in Figs, 1 to i ,4, inclusive,

A hook switch is provided embodying springs 11 to 47 inclusive, the arrangement being such that with the receiver on the hook the springs 13, 1a and are brought into mutual contact and the spring 41. 42, 46 and 517 are spread as indicated in 6. With the receiver oil the hook, on the other hand,

the springs 11,42 and are brought into mu tual contact as are also the springs 46 and 417, the springs M and 1-5 moving out of contact with other springs. (Fig. 7,) i

The sprn'ig 4:1 is connected through the unpedance coil'38 to the tip or g'ound terminal or" the subscribers line, and the spring 12 is similarly connected through the transmitter 37 to the ring or battery side of the subscribers'line. The receiver 35 is connected between the springs 413 and 4 1 and the spring 44 is connected through the condenser 39 to thetip side of the subscribers line. The ringer 10 is, connected between the spring ifiand ground" and the spring -16 is connected directlyto ground. The spring 47 is connected through the elector magnet 14: of the metering device and through the contact'springs thereof to the tip side of the subscribers line. I

Turningnow to the central station apparatus the usual answeringjaclr equipment is indicated at 18, 49, 50, 51 and 52.

'lh e cord circu t 'en i'ployed embodies a callingsuhscriherssupervisory lamp 53 and a called subscribers supervisory lamp 54,

the former being controlled by arelay havlng an armature 56 andthe latter being controlled by a relay 5? having an arinature58. "In addition, a relay 59 is provided havingan armature 60 with a front contact (51, an'arinature 62 having affront contact 63 and a. had: contact (3 ft; and an armature 65 having a front contact scarier back contact 6?; a" relay 68 having an arina-ture 69 with a front contact 70 and angarinature 71 having a front contact 72; a relay'i t having an armature 7 5 with a front contact 76, an armature 7? with a front coiitact 78 and an armature 79 with a back contact 80; and a relay *having an armature 82: with afront contact 83 and a hackcontac S4 andan armature 85 having a irontcontact 86. The

relay 81' ispretterably of thenuick-action type, tor a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out, and the relay 7 1 is preferably of the slow-acting type, this action being produced for exainple by damping devices 87-87.

The tip 88 (it the calling suloscribers plug i 1 i i is connected. with tne tip otthe called sub scribers plug through the condcnfic; 90 and the members 71 and. T2 and, in likernanner.

the ring 91 oi the calling subscriheids plug the ren -.inine terminal is connected to the contact 84; of the relay 81, the corresponding'arrnature 82 being. connected to the mature 62 the relay 59. The front contact 63 of this armature is connected to the tip sideoi the circuit and the back Contact 6 1 is connected to an outer contact 95 of tit),

reverting call key 96. The front contact 83 of the armature 82 is connected to a relatively high-voltage battery grounded at 97 (such as a 48 volt trunking battery). The coil of the relay 81 is connected to battery at 73 and the remaining terminal is connected to the armature 79 of the relay 74, the corresponding back contact 80 being connected to the armature 65 of. the relay 59.. The front contact 66 of this armature is connected to the front contact 98 of the relay 57 and the back contact 67 of the armature 65 is connected to a spring 99 in the key 96.

Switching key 96 is a recordingkey to operate the register on a reverting call, via:

a calling party calling for another party on the same party line. The operator necessarily will have to remove the calling subscribers plug from the jack, and insert the called subscribers plug to ring the desired party, and when he answers, she will have to press the key 96 to register the call, as the meter registers automatically only when the calling subscribers plug is in. T believe it would be better to call this key Re verting call key.

The armature of the relay 81 is grounded at 100 and the corresponding from contact 86 is connected through the coil of the relay 74 to battery at 101, the contact 86 further being connected to the front contact '76 of the armature 7 5 in the relay 7 1. This armature 75 is connected to the armature 58 of the relay 57 and is fun their connected with the contact member 102 in the key 96 and to the contact member 7 0 in the relay 68. The armature 69 or" the relay 68 is grounded at 103.

The armature 77 of the relay 74 is coir nected to the spring 104: in the key switch 96 and is further connected to the tip side of the called subscribers cord. The corresponding contact member 78 in the relay 7a is connected to the contact member 105 in the key switch 96 and through the coil oi the relay 57 to ground at 106.

The operating coil of the relay 68 is connected to battery at 107 and is connected to the ring 92 of the called subscribers plug.

The called subscribers local circuit may be of the usual form indicated in C and embodying, for example, a transmitter 110. receiver 111, a condenser 112 for permitting the flow of talking current through the receiver and an impedance device 113 to perunit the flow of direct current through the transmitter, together with a bridging ringer 114 and a hook switch 115. 7

Having thus described the arrangement of a system embodying my invention. the operation thereof is as follows:

At the outset, the calling subscribers receiver may be assumed to be on the hook. so that his local circuit is as indicated in Fig. 6. The. calling subscriber desiringto signal Central, removes the receiver from the hook, so that the circuit is established as in Fig. 7, and pushes the plunger 18. (It is not essential that the receiver be removed from the hook before plunger is depressed, the operation can be reversed with the same result) so as to actuate the recording mechanism leaving the meter in the condition as shown in Fig. with the springs 31 and 32 in contact allowing the current to flow from battery 115 through. the winding of the line relay l8, through. the back contact on the cut off relay to. out on the ring side of the line to telephone, through the transmitter 87, through the contacts 41-42 on the hook switch, through the impedance coil 88, through the closed contacts 31 and 32, and the winding 1i. through closed contact on springs i6 and 7 to ground, energizing the relay 4-8 and lighting the line lamp signal 51. The current is insuliicient however to bring up the armature 15 and therefore does not release the meter mechanism to complete the recordation of a call in the subscribers meter.

The operator plugs into the answering jack in the ordinary manner, and the current flows from battery at 116 through the winding of the relay 59 and through the ring of plug 91 to the answering jack 52. At this point the current divides (as the ring oi the plug makes contact with the ring of the jacr 52 and also with the ring of the jack 52 and also with the sleeve of the j ack) part of the current flowing through the sleeve contact, through the winding of the cut-off relay 49 to ground, the remainder flowing thru the sleeve spring, out over the sleeve side of line, through the telephone, returning on the tip side of the line, through the tip spring, to the tip of the answering plug 88. This closes the contacts on the relay 59 and provides a path through contacts 82-84 on the relay 81 through the winding of the relay 55 to ground, energia ing this relay and opening contact between 56 and 9 1, preventing the lamp 53 from lighting while the receiver 35 is oil the hook. Having ascertained the desired party, the operator plugs in the jack with the calling plug and rings the called subscriber in the usual manner. The insertion of the calling plug permits current to flow from battery at 107, through the winding 68, through the sleeve of the calling plug 92, to the sleeve spring of the jack, through the winding of the cu -off relay to ground. energizing the relay 68, closing the contact 71 on 72 and also 69 on 70, allowing battery to flow through the lamp 5 1, armature 58 and armature 69 and contact 70 to ground at 103, lighting the supervisory lamp.

When the called party answers the ring at his telephone by removing the receiver 'cordingly moved down,

from thehook, he eventually establishes contact between the armature 82 .and the contact 83, sending an impulse of high voltage current out to the calling subscribcrs meter and completing the recordation of the call. The closure of the contacts in the hook switch allows current {low from 107 through 68 and 952, dividing at the jack, part flowing through the Winding 1 the cut-olf relay, as already explained, and the other part through the hook switch etc. in the telephone and returning on the tip side of the line to the tip'ot the calling plug 89, the armature 71, the-contact 72-, the contacts 10d-105 the winding of relay 5'7 and to ground at 106, energizing the relay 57, breaking the .contacts 99-58 not only extinguishing the calling supervisory lamp 54, as just mentioned, but the closing or contact on the member 98 by the armature 58 permits battery flow from 73 through the winding of the rela;' 81, the contacts 79 and 80, the contacts 65 and 66-, the contacts 98 and 58 and the contacts and 69 to ground at 103, energizing the relay 81, which is preferably of the quick-acting type. The armature 82 is reaking contact with 84-. At the same time,contact is established betweenthc armature 82 and the contact, 83 throwing 48-volt current from the battery grounded at 97 out through the members 82 and '83 and members 62 and 63 to the tip side of the cord circuit, whence it flows over the calling subscribers line, through the contacts 31 and 32 and the winding of the electro magnet 1a of the meter to ground'through the spring 46, thus releasing the lever 22 from the hook 25 and restoring the meter to its original condition opening contact at 31-32 with the exception that an additional call has been irrevocably recorded.

The energization of the quick-acting relay 81 also closes the armature 85 on the contact 86 so that current flows from the battery at 101 through the Winding of the relay 741; and to ground at 100, energizing the relay 74:,

which is preferably sluggish in action. so

as to permit the flow of 48-volt current to the calling subscribefs meter for an appreciable period of time. The energization of the relay 7 1, however, draws up the armature79, breaking contact with the member 80 and thus tie-energizing the relay 81, stopping the flow of 4:8-volt current. The closure of the armature 75 on the contact 76 looks the relay 74E in-the closed position. and

- the contact of the armature 77 with the member 78 establishes a path for the How of current through the called subscribers line, it being well understood that the talking current between the subscribers traverses the condensers 90 and 93 in the usual manner.

Various otherdetails on the operation of the system will be understood by those near/ oe skilled in the art, but as they'constituteno part of the present invention, it is deemed unnecessary to needlessly vencumberthe disclosure therewith 1 Assume now that the desired party does not answer. A 48-volt releasing impulse does not come over the calling subscribers line and his meter remains in the condition shown in llig. 3. The plunger 18 cannot be de )r ssed because of the action ofthe do 28 l a 1 but central can be called because of the contact between the springs 31,and 32. The next succeeding call may therefore be made without an additional depression of the plunger 18 and without the recordation of an additional unit in the mounting mechanism. Thus. the total number of calls, recorded is determined bythe aetualnumber oi completedcalls.

If by mistake the operator should connect 0 the calhng subscriber to the wrong, number,

when that wron party answersthe ring at his telephone, by removing the receiver from the hook, part of the currentwouldreturn L the tip side of theilinc, eventuallyenersing the relay oi, sending current to the meter recording the-call, and at thefsame time closing contacts 85-86on the relay'81, allowing current to flow from. l0lrthrough the winding 74 through the contacts 85 and 86, energizingthe relay 7 ly. This closes the contacts Yd-76, locking the relay #:and at the same time opens the, contacts.79-80, deenergizing the relay 81 and preventing it from. working again as long as 7% lsloclred, so that when the calling subscriber ascer tains he has the wrong number and signals central by moving his receiver hook up and down to flash the su 'iervisory. lamp 53, should he again push the button,,an additional call will not be registered.

While I have shown my invention but one form, it will be obviousto those slrilled in the art that it is not solimited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are iiiposed by the urior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended means independent of the receiver hook memos whereby said device may be cloc-ecircu ted by the calling subscriber, in which condition it is responsive to voltage across the line and means whereby the removal of the receiver from the hoolr by the called subscriber presses a temporary voltage upon said me mg device adapted for the operation theme;

3. in a telephone systennan elcctro-responsive metering device, normally opencircuited, means independent of the receiver hook whereby said device may be close-circuited by the calling subscriber for the calling of the operator, in which condition it is responsive to voltage across the line in excess of the normal talking voltage, and means whereby the removal of the receiver from the hoolr by the called subscriber impresses a temporary excess voltage upon the metering device for the operation thereof.

4. A telephone metering device comprising a counting mechanism, an electro-magnet, normally open. switching means. and manually operable means for partially operating said counting mechanism and for simultaneously closing said switching means, and c nections whereby subsequent energization of said magnet through said switching means completes the operation of said counting: mechanism.

5. A telephone metering device comprisin a counting mechanism, an electro-mam net, switching means, and manually operable means for partially operating said counting mechanism and for simultaneously closing said switching means, and connections whereby subsequent energization oi said magnet through said switching means completes the operation oi said counting mechanism, and opens said switching: means.

6. In. a telephone metering: device, the combination with counting mechanism operable by an oscillatable lever. of a manually depressible plunger adapted to move said lever in one direction when depressed, locking means for preventing the return motion of said lever upon the recession of said plunger and an electro-responsive releasingdevice disassociated with the talking; circuit for said locking means.

7. In a telephone metering device, the combination with switching means and counting mechanism operable by an 'oscillatable lever, of a manually depressible plungeradapted to move said lever in one direc tion when depressed and to close said switching means, locking means for preventing the return motion of said lever upon the recession of said plunger, an electro-responsive releasing device for said locking means and adapted to be energized through said switching means, the release of said locking device also opening said switching means.

8. In a telephone system embodying: two sets of subscribers equipment, a central provided with arelatively low voltage current source and a relatively high voltage current source, and a metering; device at one subscribers station, the method of operation which comprises initially operct' said metering device by a calling; subscriber to partially register a call, automatically completing' the registration of said call by means of a momentary impulse of high voltage current over the calling subscribers line when the called subscriber responds, and thereafter conversing with relatively low-voltage current.

9. In a telephone system embodying two sets of subscribers equipment, a central provided with a source of uni-directional current. and a metering device at one subscriber s station, the method of operation which comprises initially energizing said metering device by the calling subscriber to partially register a call and automatically completing the registration of said call by an impulse or" currentfrom said source upon the response of the called subscriber.

10. in a telephone system. an electro-responsive metering; device at the calling subscribers station, responsive only to a volin excess of the normal talking voltage and initially under the calling subscribers control, ahigh voltage source at the central a quick-acting relay and a slow-acting relay at the central, and means whereby, upon the called subscriber raising the hook. said quick acting; relay closes a circuit whereby said. high voltage source is connected to the callingsubscribers line for the operation of said meteringdevice and means whereby said slow-aotino relay operates an instant later to cut off said current flow.

11. In a telephone metering systemi'nvolving the flow of current in one direction only over the subscribers line, the combination with means whereby the calling subscriber must partially register a call before establishing communication with the operator, of means whereby the registration of the call is completed by the called subscriber Without the intervention of the operator.

12. In a telephone metering system involving the flow of current only in one direction over a subscribers line, the combination with a metering; device at the calling subscribers station and connected in a circuit to ground, of means whereby the calling subscriber must artially register a call before establishing communication with the operator, and means whereby the registration of the call is completed and said ground connection is broken by the called subscriber without the intervention of the operator.

13. In a telephone metering system involving the flow of current only in one direction over a subscribers line, the combination with a metering device at the calling subscribers station, of means whereby the calling subscriber must partially register a call before establishing communi- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto cation with the operator, saidmeans resubscribed my name this 9th day of April. 10,

maining in the partially operated position 1920.

upon the failure of the operator to secure 7 the called subscriber, whereby the calling ARTHUR ORICHTON' subscriber may subsequently call the oper- Witnesses: atorwithout further initial actuation of his D. C. DAVIS,

metering device. R. S. ALLEN. 

